Cancer
Calcium, vitamin D, sunshine exposure, dairy products and colon cancer
risk (United States).
Kampman E; Slattery ML; Caan B; Potter JD
Cancer Causes Control 2000 May;11(5):459-66
OBJECTIVE: Epidemiologic studies on calcium, vitamin D and colon cancer
are inconsistent, whereas experimental studies more regularly show a protective
effect. To evaluate potential sources of inconsistencies, data from a
large case-control study were analyzed, stratifying on potential effect
modifiers. METHODS: Data were collected by certified interviewers in Northern
California, Utah and Minnesota. Analyses included 1993 incident colon
cancer cases and 2410 population-based controls. Multivariate logistic
regression models included age, sex, BMI, family history, physical activity,
intake of energy, dietary fiber, aspirin and NSAIDs. RESULTS: Dietary
calcium was inversely associated with colon cancer risk in men (OR highest
vs lowest quintile = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) and women (OR = 0.6, 95% CI
= 0.4-0.9). No statistically significant associations were observed for
dietary vitamin D or sunshine exposure. Consumption of total low-fat dairy
products was associated with a statistically significantly decreased risk
in men and women (ORs highest vs lowest category of intake = 0.8 and 0.7
respectively). Calcium supplement use was inversely associated with risk
in both sexes (ORs use vs non-use = 0.8). Vitamin D supplements were inversely
associated with risk in men (OR = 0.5) and women (OR = 0.6) but confidence
limits included 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide additional support
of an inverse association between high levels of calcium intake and colon
cancer risk. |